Scientist extols Stuart waters' diversity

STUART — Jackie Trancynger left Stuart City Hall Thursday feeling like she just finished a college level course. What she learned: The environment around Stuart is unlike any other.

Scientist Grant Gilmore, speaking at a Rivers Coalition meeting, said 800 fish species can be found within a 10-mile radius of St. Lucie Inlet, making it arguably the most diverse aquatic area in the U.S. and perhaps the world. Nowhere else in the world can you find five species of snook; six species of mullet; or tarpon, bonefish and grouper in every stage of development from larvae to adult.

Gilmore, a senior scientist and president of Estuarine, Coastal and Ocean Science Inc. in Vero Beach, expanded on how rare populations of fish and other marine life are imperiled by contaminants pouring into the waters of the Indian River Lagoon. He also described how Florida's rainfall used to flow before 1900 and how it flows today after a century of agricultural and urban development.

The other point Gilmore wanted to send home: The St. Lucie River is the largest true river on Florida's east coast south of the St. Johns River.

"I learned all new things today," said Trancynger, a 13-year Jensen Beach resident. "That's why I come to these meetings."

Gilmore's 45-minute presentation covered threats to the lagoon and its estuary system, and the way pollution, such as the Lake Okeechobee discharges, affect both water quality and the economy.

Several dozen people — concerned longtime residents, recent college grads, visitors to the area and representatives for local politicians — filled the Stuart commission chamber for the meeting, where Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute was accepted as a new member. Gilmore said he knew many were environmental advocates who share his point of view. Still, he wanted to arm them with information to spread the word.

"I look at that audience and say ‘that's the choir,' " Gilmore said. "But here's what you can say to everyone you have contact with."

He said how his own research demonstrates the correlation between fish kills and seagrass die-offs and the pollution dumped into the lagoon. He showed photos of specific fish species hurt by the changes.

Leon Abood, Rivers Coalition president, called the meeting an "eye-opener." Abood believes there's more awareness by the community on the lagoon issues than ever before and he hopes the specific details Gilmore offered will convince residents to keep pressure on local representatives about preventing and regulating pollution.

"We're in one of the nicest places to live in the U.S.," Abood said. "It's because of water and it's because of our natural environment and it's because of everything we've worked so hard to maintain and that's why it's such an important message for us to make sure that's maintained."

Trancynger said she always tries to raise environmental concerns with the community but is troubled that Martin County commissioners aren't as educated on topics the Rivers Coalition discusses.